Mar 19

So if I were to tell anyone that I got my first “job” at the age of 27, I’d come across as quite the loser in life, who whiled away the prime of her youth procrastinating instead of getting a real job.  But that’s not quite the story!

I’ve spent the last 10 years of my life as a professional actor/compere/voiceover artist and singer back home in India and what a time it was. It was the “dream job”.  I worked an average of 6 months a year, travelled or lolled around for the rest, had people rally around me through the day checking my face, hair or tending to my voice and all this while I got paid heaps of money that sometimes didn’t even seem justified for doing what I absolutely loved! Compared to my friends who hated what they did, worked 9am to 6pm, and got just 2 weeks annual leave, I was living a dream.

In January 2011 I got married and moved to Hong Kong, not knowing what I was going to do. Acting wasn’t an option because there was little work that would come my way as an Indian face.  And so I finally decided to pursue my long standing dream of wanting to be a hairdresser — a profession that had my attention since I was a little girl. I remember telling my 85 year old, super successful South Indian grandfather, while still in school that I would like to be a hairdresser one day. His response was “What! You want to be a barber!condescendingly.  Professional hairdressing in the early 90’s in India was almost nonexistent, barring a select few people who had trained themselves professionally.  Most men got their hair cut from the local guy who sat in his makeshift salon or tiny shop on the street, with nothing but a stool, scissors, a shaving blade and a mirror. Some of them gave the best oil massages know as “champi” that you couldn’t get anywhere else in the world even if you paid hundreds of dollars.  While women went to ‘beauty parlours’ run by other women who barely knew how to apply cream on someone’s face let alone carry out beauty procedures!  So I could understand where my grandfather was coming from. Sad that he didn’t live long enough to see the thriving, fast growing profession that it has become today in India.

So here I was in Hong Kong – a city where everyone seemed to have perfect hair and I said to myself, let’s finally do this! It was sheer luck that I chanced upon an ad in a magazine one evening and landed my first job at PAUL GERRARD!  Where I’d have fixed timings, annual leave, fixed lunch breaks….. Everything that I had always dreaded!!! So you could imagine my initial apprehension.

However it didn’t take me long to figure out that luck couldn’t have favoured me more than it had yet again! What a first job to have! And what a salon it is!  I spend my days learning about what I’ve always loved, seeing the happiest faces walk away with a new found confident swagger after they’re done with their appointments and it’s pure joy! I watch the best hands in the business work their magic on heads that transform into perfection. We have 10 hairdressers here from all over the world, each having very unique styles and schools of technique, so for a novice like me what more could I ask for? Paul is probably the only person in Hong Kong whose salon has a professional training program for his juniors.  Which means that I don’t have to spend the next 5 years of mine walking aimlessly around the salon trying to pick up whatever I can by observing. Instead I have the nicest, most helpful genius hairdressers who so patiently answer every silly query that I have about cuts or colour and I’m so grateful to them.

Loving my work has always been important to me, because it forms such a large part of my life, and I’m so blessed to have found ‘true love’ twice over!  This time thanks to Paul Gerrard! Sometimes starting out late(ish) in life ain’t such a bad thing after all ;-D

Anaitha

Hairdressing assistant

Tagged with:
Mar 03

About three weeks ago, I came into the salon to try eyelash extensions.

After years of buying various mascaras for various prices and seeing minimal results in the length/thickness of my puny lashes, I decided to give this treatment a shot.  I really didn’t know what to expect as far as the application, results, and maintenance.  I actually didn’t give it much thought.  All I knew was that I wanted the beautiful, thick, cover-of-Vogue-magazine eyelashes that I was never lucky enough to have inherited from my beautiful parents.

Before the actual treatment, Gladys (my eyelash extension extraordinaire), informed me that the treatment would take about two hours, considering I was getting a full set of top lashes and each extension would be applied to each individual lash.  The timing surprised me but I was ready to go!  When I went into the treatment room with Gladys, she made sure I was very comfortable by dimming the lights and offering me a blanket.  She told me I would be laying down with my eyes closed for the entire treatment and to just relax.

She began by having me remove my contact lenses and removing any makeup I had on my eyes.  Afterwards, she placed what felt like wax paper sheets under my eyes to protect the bottom lashes from the glue used for the top lash extensions.  I felt nothing during the entire process! As a matter of fact, I was so relaxed, I feel asleep for about a half hour.  When I woke from my relaxing nap, she was applying what I thought was mascara, but it was a gloss to set the lashes.  She sat me up, handed me a mirror, and I was stunned!  My lashes were long, full, and curled up!

They looked completely natural, as if I had layers of black mascara on without the clumps.  Also, my eyes looked bigger and I looked more awake.  At first, I was able to feel that something was on my eyes and they felt a bit heavy.  However, by the time I got home I was completely used to them and I felt nothing.  I still forget I have them on, until I look in the mirror and smile.

For maintenance, Gladys told me to remove my eye makeup carefully with a Q-tip and an oil-free remover, and to avoid having hot water run on my face in the shower, as this would wear away the glue on my lashes.  She also told me I might start to see a few falling out after 2-3 weeks.  So far I’ve had them on for about 3 weeks and I’ve only lost one from each eye and it’s not noticeable.

I’m extremely satisfied and happy with my treatment and results!  I’ve been complimented by friends, telling me my eyes look bigger and that the lashes look natural.  A friend of mine even noticed a difference over Skype and I hadn’t even told her about my treatment.  Now that’s a compliment!

Debbie

Salon co-ordinator

Tagged with:
Sep 22

Lately, we’ve had clients calling in and asking about Brazilian Keratin Treatment and the safety concerns regarding one particular brand called Brazilian BlowOut. We all know that this brand itself and the treatment procedure have received extensive coverage since the products were recalled last year,  due to its allegedly high formaldehyde ingredient.

Extensive research has been conducted in the USA, particularly California (considered as one of the most stringent places when it comes to product safety and environmental protection) and have found that this brand itself is safe to use and contains NO formaldehyde.

However, one of the latest news about this was published in a paper in Australia on 29th August 2011 and we’d like to thank a client that brought this to our attention.

http://www.theage.com.au/lifestyle/beauty/haircare-company-recalls-toxic-straightening-product-20110828-1jgni.html

Right away we contacted the suppliers to help us shed some light on this and we’d like you to refer to their response below.

  • That reporter, Julia Medew, apparently quoted the wrong product name. It should be the In-Salon Treatment, Brazilian Blowout Açai Professional Smoothing Solution (which is also known as BB Original Solution), instead. The Açai Smoothing Serum which your customer has bought contains no formaldehyde (0%) or any kind of harmful substances. That particular product & the rest of the retail products are suitable for pregnant ladies. No product exchange or refund is needed. That’s a guaranteed. You are welcome to simply forward this email to your client.
  • Regarding the recall of the BB Original Solution in Australia, it was indeed recalled along with ALL other Keratin/Smoothing Treatments weeks ago. The Australian Government decided to simply ban this whole new category without doing any local lab tests. If they did, the article would become like……. “our local standard is 0.xxppm (parts per million) but the average figure of xx test results of brand xx was xx.xx ppm”. I think, somehow, they just read the proven misleading articles from the states when it was published in Sept 2010 then just banned it. No Governments would spend money on testing something which are not produced by their own citizens. Coincidentally, quite a no. of the Australian made Keratin/Smoothing Treatments like nanostraight (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Nano-Straight/157729917604391) was banned in the USA too. Most of them even stopped production. Vice Versa, the BB Original Solution has been selling for almost 5 years.
  • The BB Original Solution is absolutely safe to use. It’s manufactured in the California where is one of the most stringent places on earth when it comes to Product Safety and Environmental Protection. Hundreds of premium hair salon in the states, particularly in the California, are still providing the BB Original Solution for their customers. It has never ever been banned by the California OSHA (Occupational & Safety Health Administration).
  • The formaldehyde exposure level of the BB Original Solution is 6 times below the standard of Federal OSHA. Pls refer to the attached file, you’ll also see how safe BB is when comparing to the formaldehyde percentage in human blood, apples, meat, fish……etc. Those figures were provided by a renowned Magazine called SOFW - Journal in 2009 (http://www.sofw.com/index/sofw_en/sofw_en_journal.html)

We do have other documents on hand citing the safety of the said products so it you’d like to read them and to appease your worries, just give us a call or email us any time.

While we do understand that reports about this may never stop, we hope that you won’t be misled by unfounded articles.

If you would like to personally speak to our stylists, drop us a line and we’ll book you in for a  consultation.

Tagged with:
Sep 19

Great news!!!


We are excited to tell you all that we’ve extended the launch price of our ultimate 3-week manicure/pedicure until the end of September.

For all the busy ladies who can’t always spare time to pamper themselves, this is the answer for you!

We also have 8 new dazzling Autumn-inspired shades so call us now at 28694408 or email us at info@paulgerrard.com to book your appointment.

GELeration manicure $300 (original value $350)

GELeration pedicure $600 (original value $650)

Tagged with:
Sep 12

Whether you’re aiming for soft curls, sleek or tousled look this season, these products work like magic

Kevin Murphy 

Hair Resort Beach texturizer adds incredible texture to fine hair, just like  you’ve been at the beach all day.

Motion Lotion for beautiful soft curls without frizz.


Easy Rider Anti-frizz Crème is great for taming fly away hairs or for men who want soft control.

Açaí Smoothing Serum by Brazilian Blowout, conditions hair and seals the cuticle to lock-in moisture and lock-out frizz.

Speaking of conditioners, try out also our new range of spray-on Equave 2 Phase by Revlon Professional which contain a wide-spectrum of UVA/UVB filters that protect cuticle and slow down colour fade.

Perfect Summer Conditioner – as the name says, it is a perfect leave-in conditioner for sun-, sea salt- and chlorine-exposed hair.

Perfect Blonde Conditioner — this is more focused on natural blonde, coloured, bleached, grey or highlighted hair. Its active ingredients help neutralise brassy tones and enhance highlights.

More posts next time!

See you in the salon!

Nicole

Tagged with:
Sep 08

MUK.  a culture. a lifestyle. an attitude.

This Aussie haircare brand defies mainstream trend in hairstyling. With its hard core performance products that give you that extra modern edge and the provocative and naughty poster ads, no wonder this haircare brand is deemed as the next iconic brand.

Hilarious pop-up warning in Muk's website

But that’s not what grabbed people’s attention — it’s actually the cheeky names they came up with for their range…and yes, you definitely have to have a sense of humour for this brand.
On the plus side, each range has its distinctive fruity fragrance –  from citrus orange, green apple and cantaloupe to the perfect mix of dessert,  fruit salad!

Hard Muk: versatile but brutal hold styling mud.  It has low sheen finish. Perfect for creating spikes and directions.
Filthy Muk: firm hold styling paste with gritty finish. Gives thickness and adds texture to fine
Rough Muk: flexible non-sticky hold. Perfect for creating texture, definition and movement.
Raw Muk: brutal holding power as Hard Muk but with a shine!
Deep Muk: shampoo, conditioner, soft treatment and leave-in conditioner for intense softness and shine, leaving hair silky soft and shiny.
Kinky Muk: curl amplifier & leave-in moisturiser for curly hair. Tames stubborn frizz and defines and nourishes natural curls.
Hot Muk: lightweight thermal protector & smoothing serum to protect hair against heat damage caused by hair styling tools.
Fat Muk: shampoo, conditioner & volumiser to pump up limp and fine hair.
Beach Muk: sexy beach hair in a bottle. Perfect for “surf” hair , giving you that tousled sultry look.

So if you’re a true non-conformist, a unique individual that wants to make a strong personal statement (and one that has a great sense of humour!) then Muk is definitely for you so come on in and try our craziest, most politically
incorrect products!
Tagged with:
Aug 09

Okay so we haven’t been really getting fabulous summer weather. But that’s just so typical of Hong Kong summer, though — rain, a burst of sunshine now and then, rain again, humid and of course the awful pollution! Needless to say, our skin suffers the most during these horrid summer months so I’ve written a few pointers on how to give your skin (especially oily-prone skin) the essential treatment to combat its worst enemies.

Now, one of  the most common misconceptions about oily skin is to clarify and dry it out. It doesn’t work this way. In fact, you will find that the more you dry out oily skin, the more oil it produces and then you get really frustrated because you can’t seem to be doing anything right. All you have to do is cleanse, tone and moisturise daily AND exfoliate twice a week…with the right products, of course.

So, if you’re in need of a much better cleanser this summer — whether to remove make-up or get rid of  excess sweat (which sometimes gets mistaken for oil), use Pre-Cleanse.

It’s an oil-based cleanser that can gently remove surface oil, dirt and even the toughest, most waterproof mascara. Hydrates your skin instantly and leaves no greasy residue at all.

Follow up with Special Cleansing Gel for a more refreshing and thorough cleansing. This cleanser is suitable for all skin types especially for summer as it does not strip away moisture.

But if your skin secretes excessive oil, then better use Dermal Clay Cleanser as it controls oil production without leaving your skin dry.

Remember to ALWAYS use toner afterwards to re-hydrate your skin. The Multi-Active Toner does the job perfectly and it also saves you from using a cotton ball or cotton pad as it’s a spray-on.

Simply spritz over the face and gently pat for a more refreshing effect. Ask your therapist which toner suits you best depending on your personal preference.

Moisturise with Active Moist, a lightweight oil free lotion that hydrates without leaving your skin feeling greasy.

At night I’d recommend you to apply Overnight Clearing Gel before you moisturise and apply it on the area where it easily gets congested.

Here are a few more products that you ought to get for maximum protection this summer. It doesn’t matter whether you’re Asian or Caucasian, you still have to protect your skin from the harsh sun.

Solar Defense Booster SPF30 is the easiest to use for daily wear. Use it alone or mix it with your favourite moisturiser and you’re good to go.

WaterBlock Solar Spray with SPF30 is perfect for sports fanatic as it maintains its water-resistant SPF protection for up to 8o minutes. Its easy-to-use spray on formula makes it ideal for kids. This is a great solar defense for all skin types.

However, for those who are prone to excess oil production, I highly recommend using Oil Free Matte Block with SPF20. Its special formula absorbs and controls oil production and prevents shine.

REMEMBER to always apply sunscreen about 20 minutes before you step out into the sun.

That’s it for now…hope this simple summer-survival skincare regime helps ease your skin stress!

Till next time!

– Jennifer, skin therapist

Tagged with:
Aug 05

Come on in and experience a transformation this August –sophisticated gel nails in an hour that last for 3 weeks!!!

GELeration manicure for $300 (Original price $350)

GELeration pedicure for $600 (Original price $650)

This promotion is valid until August 31st 2011.

Call us now on 28694408 or email info@paulgerrard.com to book your spot!

Tagged with:
Aug 02

Your ultimate 3-week manicure/pedicure is about to start as our new nail care products invade our salon. You’ve probably heard about it before and now you can experience it yourself!

Jessica GELeration ™ is indeed the new generation in the nail industry…a hybrid of gel and regular nail polish. It’s easily applied like a nail varnish but has the long-lasting strength of a gel. Normally when we mention “gel nails”, clients would automatically associate it with long  hours in the salon and lots of nail drilling. 

Well, this fantastic new nail  polish, termed as the “Gel in a Bottle”, gets you out of the salon in about an hour with natural-looking, wonderfully-manicured (and pedicured) gel nails. Yes, no drilling involved.

Why we love it and why you ought to get it:

  • Quick nail session that lasts up to 3-4 weeks
  • Shaped to your natural nails giving you natural-looking nails
  • Flawless finish that maintains high gloss
  • The REAL non-chip polish
  • No smudging or fading
  • Expressive
  • Dries in seconds under the UV light
  • Easily soaked-off
  • Absolutely perfect for ladies on the go!

Still not convinced? Book an appointment now at 28694408 and we’ll take it from there!

Hope to see you soon!

Stephanie

Tagged with:
May 17

By Martine
Wow! How the months have flown by since my last blog post. Christmas has come and gone. The New Year rolled in and Chinese New Year celebrations rolled out. There’s been a whole string of public holidays recently and the weather doesn’t seem to know if it’s coming or going!

So, over this last public holiday I was sitting sipping some lovely Sauvignon Blanc with a few girlfriends, as you do, and talk turned to hair, cosmetics and beauty products, as it does, and then waxing popped up!

Now before I go any further, here’s a couple of questions: how many of you ladies out there go for a regular waxing? And when you do, do you go for the total package and get legs, underarms and bikini region done? For many of us, it’s the norm.

Well one of my girlie-friends shared the fact that she’d had a very bad experience with waxing when she was in her late teens. One of her friends who was training to become a beauty therapist would use her mates for training on – I know, it doesn’t sound like it’s going to go well does it?

And it didn’t!

Apparently my friend, who will remain anonymous, had a couple of bad experiences with very hot wax. She wasn’t scarred or anything – well, not physically. But mentally, it left a mark. For her, waxing was sore and has remained an absolute no-no. Since ‘the experience’ she has only ever shaved.

Ok, that’s all fine and well when it comes to legs and armpits, but “what about downstairs” I asked her. “Oh, I shave there too” she said. Well, there was a simultaneous intake of breath from the group. “Really, but doesn’t that make the hair grow back really fast and also make it tougher?” And by the way, why is that?

According to her, she has to shave the bikini area every 3-4 days. I can only think, my god, what a palaver!

We chatted and drank more. And by the end of the night we had talked her into trying a bikini wax. The poor lamb, she sounded positively terrified about it when I spoke to her the day after! “No excuses” I said. “I’ve booked you an appointment and I’ll even take you there, wait for you and make sure all’s ok.” So I did.

And the upshot was that she couldn’t believe what she’d been afraid of for all this time. “It didn’t even hurt and it was so quick.” I told her she was “preaching to the converted.”

She’s been back for a second wax. Looks like she’s converted too.

What with summer just ‘round the corner and shorts and bikinis imminent, what are your thoughts on waxing? And which wax works best for you; the yummy honey-like stuff or the pink bubblegum-coloured option?

Tagged with:
preload preload preload